The Woman Warrior Versions of Reality Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Be careful what you say. It comes true. It comes true. I had to leave home in order to see the world logically, logic the new way of seeing. I learned to think that mysteries are for explanation. I enjoy the simplicity. Concrete pours out of my mouth to cover the forests with freeways and sidewalks (5.181).

Kingston warns that reality is merely a matter of speaking. If you talk story, that story might as well as be true because it will be circulated and believed to be true.

Quote #11

The very next day after I talked out the retarded man, the huncher, he disappeared. I never saw him again or heard what became of him. Perhaps I made him up, and what I once had was not Chinese-sight at all but child-sight that would have disappeared eventually without such struggle (5.184).

Kingston suggests that truth also changes over time and age when she can't remember whether or not she's imagining the huncher.

Quote #12

I continue to sort out what's just my childhood, just my imagination, just my family, just the village, just movies, just living (5.184).

Kingston emphasizes that she continues to question the difference between truth and fiction. But how useful is it to do this? Is this an old habit that she can't kick, or something that she deliberately tries to do?